If somebody was making a list of the biggest breakthroughs in the health industry in the recent few decades, diet supplementation would make it to top five hands down. And if somebody was making a list of the most popular and promising diet supplements, Omega 3 could stand quite a fat chance of actually grabbing the top spot. Sometimes referred to as the miraculous food of the 21st century, it has become a household name in no time at all and, today, it is not only present more in diets (that recognize the importance of eating more seafood and oily fish, its largest natural sources), but is more at ease with diet supplementation and food fortification. But with Omega 3's popularity rising with no signs of stopping, we might start to worry about reaching the saturation point, where people overdo with its consumption and also where they go from no or very small presence of these nutritious fatty acids to optimal levels very quickly, putting a substantial strain on their ability to digest and absorb it. This is why asking whether there are any considerable health risks associated with Omega 3 products is a legitimate question.

Like with all substances we consume, there are reasonable limits within which taking them in practically guarantees no discomfort. For Omega 3, only occasionally do people experience mild, irritating symptoms at small or mid-range dosages. They usually have to do with their fish-filled content that may leave a bad aftertaste, odorous breath, heartburn or bloating. Needless to say, the more you consume, in particular against weak absorption levels, the more likely you are to run into these setbacks. They can also occur temporarily if you start from a low level and go to a much stronger burden in a short time. One way around this problem is going for Omega 3 products from flax seed or flax seed oil.

As you increase your dose, gastrointestinal side effects can intensify, even though they do not have to, resulting in such discomforts as nausea, bloating, gas, abdominal pain or, in these cases when you do not use enough water, constipation. Diarrhea or indigestion can set in as well, but they are typical of many other diet supplements, like vitamin D or CoQ10, when they are taken in excess.

Intensive consumption of Omega 3 does sometimes result in more serious setbacks. One is the development of the allergic reactions – if you start to itch, wheeze or swell for no apparent reason after taking this nutrient, you might want to pause and consult your health care provider. Another graver adverse effect are distortions (short-term or long-term) of blood circulation that can lead to easy bruising and more frequent bleeding, as well as vomiting with blood or signs of bleeding in the brain – poor vision or hearing. They are rare.

In any case, whenever you run into the first symptoms of problems resulting from taking Omega 3 diet supplement, contact your doctor and ask for advice.